3 Tactics to Turn your Fashion Internship into a Full Time Job

Internships have always been popular in the more glamorous industries, and it’s only recently that other sectors like IT have begun to copy the fashion industry’s heartless style. Read the three tips below for good advice on how to act at the different stages of your fashion internship in order to turn it into a full-time, fully-paid job.

Tip 1: Develop Relationships at the Start

An internship is all about building your business network. It is essential to introduce yourself to every single person in the field – from colleague to client – and always be warm and friendly to them. Connect with them on social media, go to networking meetings and join all the professional unions and associations. Always have a positive attitude towards the job.

Hopefully your boss won’t be as difficult to deal with as that fashion diva in The Devil Wears Prada, but if he/she is, you’ll just have to learn the personal preferences and the personality traits, and adapt your behaviour accordingly to keep the relationship strong.

Tip 2: Ask Questions Along the Way

…and write down the answers! Most supervisors are patiently aware that asking questions about the job is necessary, but they will not be impressed if you forget what they say and have to ask again the next week. By keeping note of what you learn, you will build up a good bundle of written knowledge over the course of the internship.

Most of your questions will be specific to your position, but here are some useful ones to get you started:

What do you want me to achieve during my first week here? My first month? My full internship?

Who is my mentor/supervisor?

What is the preferred method of communication?

What is the correct dress code? (This one is extra important in the fashion industry!)

Tip 3: Send Goodbye Email and Follow Up at the End

At the end of the internship it is essential to send an email around to everyone you have worked with, thanking them (particularly your supervisors), and giving them your contact details in case they want to communicate. Even if they never do, make sure you still keep in touch, connecting with them on LinkedIn and emailing them from time-to-time in order to exchange updates and to enquire about any potential job they or any of their contacts in the fashion industry may have on offer in the future. When the job appears, you’ll be the first person that comes to mind.

Tips 4, 5 and 6?

Any other tips for us? How did you manage to get a job out of your fashion internship? Share your wisdom and leave a comment below.